MUMBAI: From Manhattan to Hong Kong the world is being reshaped by leading globally renowned architects - but what is their vision for the cities and buildings we inhabit?

?Dream Builders? returns to the BBC World Service on 9 June with a new four-part series featuring architects in conversation to discover their vision for our world.

Recorded at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London, Razia Iqbal talks to four of the most influential and important architects of today, discussing their work, their inspirations and the controversies they have aroused.

During the series, Iqbal and her audience will be in conversation with Daniel Libeskind, Norman Foster, Santiago Calatrava and Zaha Hadid.

In the first programme one, Iqbal talks to acclaimed architect Daniel Libeskind, whose first building was the Jewish Museum in Berlin. Shortly after it opened he won a fierce competition to rebuild the most valuable and most politically charged piece of real estate in the world, Ground Zero in New York. It propelled him into the architectural stratosphere and was an experience that changed him utterly. He tells Iqbal of the twist and turns in his extraordinary career, discusses the projects that have made him and the adventures he has had along the way.

BBC World Service commissioning editor Steve Titherington said, "This is an age where people around the world can see the work of leading architectures appearing in every continent - but what sort of built environment do the world?s dream builders want us to inhabit? Radio is a great medium to discuss the aims, the traditions and beliefs behind the great architectural visions of our age. Through this exciting partnership with Riba we have a compiled a unique collection of interviews which we hope will command global interest."

Riba president Angela Brady said, "The Royal Institute of British Architects is delighted to partner with the BBC on the Dream Builders series. Every building has a creative story and team behind it - the challenges and opportunities that have shaped its design and construction - and the more stories we know, the better we understand our environment. Razia Iqbal?s expert questioning reveals the personalities, influences and inspiration that drives the world?s most renowned architects to create exceptional buildings. The Dream Builders series is an insightful and important historical record."

MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has announced that Matt Smith, who played the 11th incarnation of ?Doctor Who? will be quitting the show at the end this year. Until his exit, Smith will have played the lead for four years on the iconic BBC One show.

"The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show and speculate more about the future of the show in a way that I?ve never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable. Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I?m back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!" said Smith.

The BBC says that during his time in the title role, Matt Smith has reached over 30 million unique UK viewers and was also the first actor to be nominated for a Bafta in the role of Dr. Who.

MUMBAI: ?Chime For Change?, which is Gucci?s new global campaign for girls? and women?s empowerment, has released the list of broadcasters that will be airing ?The Sound Of Change Live? concert event. The concert which takes place today and will reach up to one billion people in over 150 countries worldwide.

In the US, NBC will air the show the day after the live event in London. The concert event, which will be broadcast across six continents, brings together some of the world?s most talented artists and internationally renowned activists to raise awareness of issues affecting girls and women, and raise funds for non-profit organisations pursuing change. In addition to Star and NBC, The BBC, Rotana and WoWow are among the broadcasters set to air ?The Sound Of Change Live? concert event to households around the world.

Chime For Change co-founder, artistic director and singer Beyonc? Knowles-Carter will perform a 45-minute special set and will lead the performers including Florence + the Machine, HAIM, Iggy Azalea, Jennifer Lopez, John Legend, Laura Pausini, Rita Ora and Timbaland.

Knowles-Carter said, "I am really happy that so many amazing artists and presenters have come together to support ?Chime For Change? on 1 June. Our goal is to have a great time together while we unite and strengthen the voices of girls and women around the world."

Madonna will join presenter line-up which includes actors, musicians, activists, film directors and public figures including Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Freida Pinto, Gloria Steinem, Gordon and Sarah Brown, James Franco, Jessica Chastain and Zoe Saldana.

Singer Madonna, who is also the founder of the Ray of Light Foundation said, "60 per cent of the children in the world not in school are girls! 2/3 of the world?s illiterate are Women! I do not accept this. We need to change this and we will change this!"

The concert will be produced by Kevin Wall and Aaron Grosky of Control Room in association with Harvey Goldsmith - the forces behind Live Earth and Live Aid. In addition to performances and collaborations from global artists, the live concert, which takes place tomorrow 1 June will also serve as a platform to broadcast inspirational and provocative short films and stories spotlighting girls? and women?s issues globally.

Kevin Wall of Control Room said, "We are thrilled to be producing and distributing The Sound Of Change Live concert event at London?s Twickenham Stadium on the 1st of June and utilising our expertise in producing and distributing global multi-artist charity events to help Gucci raise funds and awareness for girls? and women?s issues around the world."

Underwritten by Gucci, all tickets sales (less VAT and service fees) will go towards raising funds for projects, which will be disseminated through Catapult - the first crowd-funding platform dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women. In a world first, through Catapult, fans will be able to choose exactly which projects their money goes towards and receive updates on their progress. A sell-out concert means that over 120 projects supporting women around the world will be 100 per cent funded.

MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has secured the rights to provide exclusive live ball-by-ball radio commentary of the 2013/14 Ashes in Australia (21 November 2013 -7 January 2014), providing the final element to a year of cricket coverage on Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app.

There will also be programmes and presenters on Radio 5 live for the summer, including ?Andrew Flintoff?s Ashes Roadshows?.

The BBC?s cricket portfolio also includes live commentary of the New Zealand Test Matches and ODI?s, the ICC Champions Trophy and the pinnacle event of the summer - The Ashes. In addition, there is the recently announced ongoing ball-by-ball commentary of the entire county cricket season via BBC online and BBC Local Radio, plus live coverage of county matches on 5 live sports extra.

BBC Sport director Barbara Slater said, "We?re very pleased to have added the Ashes in Australia to our existing cricket rights portfolio, and there?s no one better to deliver it to audiences than the esteemed Test Match Special team. We?re looking forward to a fantastic summer and winter of cricket which we will be covering through TMS, Radio 5 live and our digital platforms."